Community Organizer 2.0

Epic Change just launched a fundraiser entitled To Mama With Love, and it embodies everything social network fundraising should be: a conversation rather than an ask for money, linkages to a greater movement, and utilizing the power of social network.

Many foundations and philanthropies are using social media to talk to their stakeholders. If you are a nonprofit seeking foundation funding, make connecting with foundations using social media part of your overall development plan – and your engagement strategy.

To create a great online fundraising campaign, combine the principles of community organizing with fundamental social media principles. The mashup will guide your campaign strategy and map. Presentation includes a slide show of essential elements of social media fundraising, and uses 2009 as a case study.

Two data sets, two different user groups, same results: Small businesses and nonprofit find social media effective for reaching new customers and strengthening existing relationships. Irrefutable evidence of the power of engagement.

What are the online giving trends for 2010, and beyond? What will be the technology, culture, and needs? In this post, I created a graphic description of the history of online giving, and offer five trends that I see in the coming year.

Proving that social media can be used to raise significant funds for nonprofits is “the brass ring” that every nonprofit utilizing social media wants to reach. On the other hand, social network fundraising is growing: both by adoption, use and acceptance. This post explores the existing challenges facing social network fundraising – and brainstorming ideas to overcome the barriers.

A New York Times article on energy efficiency inspires thoughts on peer to peer fundraising. Does peer giving — knowing who else is giving and what amounts — make social network fundraising more effective?